Common Diseases of Farm Animals Part 12

_The first symptoms_ usually noted are rapid, labored breathing, depression and an anxious expression on the face. The horse usually stops sweating.

The body temperature is extremely high, the pulse beats weak, the animal trembles, falls to the ground and dies in a convulsion. Unless measures directed toward relief of the animal are taken early in the attack, death commonly occurs. Overheating is rather common in horses that are worked hard during the extremely warm weather. Horses that have been once overheated are afterwards unable to stand severe work during the hot months of the year. Horses in this condition become unthrifty, do not sweat freely and pant if the work is hard and the weather is warm.

_The preventive measures_ consist in not exposing animals that are fat, or out of condition to severe exercise if the day is close and hot, especially if they are not accustomed to it. When handling or working animals during hot weather all possible precautions to prevent overheating should be practised.

_The treatment_ consists in placing the animal in a cool, shady place and fomenting the body with cold water. The cold packs or cold fomentations should be applied to the head and forepart of the body only. Small doses of stimulants may be given.

MENINGO-CEREBRITIS.--The discussion of inflammation of the brain and its coverings can be combined conveniently, as the causes, symptoms and treatment vary but little. This disorder is met with in all species of domestic animals, but it is most common in horses and mules. Some writers state that meningo-cerebritis is more common during the warm season than it is in the winter. However, this does not hold true in all sections. In the middle west, this disease is more common in late fall and winter.

_It is commonly caused_ by taking into the body with the feed and water certain organisms and toxins that are capable of producing an inflammation of the brain. The infectious organism or toxins are taken up by the absorbing vessels of the intestines.

The secondary form of the disease usually occurs in connection with other diseases such as influenza, tuberculosis and acute pharyngitis, or as a result of wound infection. Unhygienic conditions, as unsanitary and poorly ventilated stables and filthy drinking places, play a very important part in the production of the simple or acute form of meningitis.

Sudden changes in the feed and the feeding of rotten, mouldy feeds may cause it. In the fall and winter it may follow the feeding of too heavy a ration of shredded fodder or any other dry feed. Other exciting causes are overexertion, changes in climate, excitement, injuries to the head and the feeding of too heavy and concentrated a ration.

_The symptoms_ vary in the different individuals, but in general they are the same. At first the animal is dull, or extremely nervous and sensitive to sounds. The pupils of the eye are unevenly contracted at first, later dilated. The eyes may appear staring, or they are rolled about, so that the white portion is prominent. The unusual excitement is manifested in different ways by the different species. During the dull period the animal is indifferent to its surroundings. When it is excited, the pulse beats and respirations are accelerated. The body temperature is often elevated early in the disease. There is a partial or complete loss of appet.i.te. Paralysis may be the most prominent symptom. The animal lies in a natural position, or stretched out and lifting the head occasionally and moving the limbs, but it is unable to rise. Loss of sensibility may gradually progress until the animal becomes semiconscious, or comatose.

In case the inflammation is acute and involves the greater portion of the brain and its coverings, death occurs within a few days. Occasionally the animal survives several weeks. There are few permanent or complete recoveries.

_The princ.i.p.al lines of treatment_ are preventive measures and careful nursing. This is one of the diseases that can be largely prevented by observing all possible sanitary precautions in caring for animals. It is admitted by writers that the greater majority of cases of inflammation of the brain and its coverings are caused by infection. Proper stable construction, ventilation and disposal of the manure, an occasional disinfection of the stable, cleaning and disinfecting the drinking places and water tanks, and the necessary attention to the ration greatly reduce the loss from this disease.

The animal should be gotten into a dark, quiet, roomy stall that is well bedded. A swing may be placed under a large animal if it is able to support any of its weight, and there is no evidence of nervous excitement. We should do nothing to disturb it. If possible, the position of the animal that is unable to get up should be changed, and the bed kept clean and dry.

Cold in the form of wet or ice packs should be applied to the head during the acute stage. Symptoms of excitement must be overcome by large doses of sedatives. Iodide of pota.s.sium and strychnine may help in overcoming the paralysis. The bowels should be emptied by giving an occasional physic. A very light, easily digested diet should be fed.

PARTIAL OR COMPLETE PARALYSIS OF THE POSTERIOR PORTION OF THE BODY.--This disorder is especially common in the small animals. The hog is most frequently affected.

_The following causes_ may be mentioned: Inflammation of the spinal cord commonly occurs in influenza, strangles and mixed infections; constipation brought on by improper feeding and insufficient exercise is a predisposing cause; injuries such as strains and blows in the region of the back may also cause it; compression of the spinal cord by the vertebrae is no doubt a very common cause; dislocation, enlargement of the disks between the vertebrae, bony enlargements resulting from strains and injuries, rickets, tuberculosis and actinomycosis and tumors commonly cause compression of the cord. It is rarely caused by parasites. Young, fat animals are especially p.r.o.ne to injuries in the region of the back. Such animals may suffer from malnutrition of the bones, and complete fractures of the thigh bones may occur. Extreme heat from the sun's rays and close, hot quarters are probable causes.

_The symptom_ that is most prominent is the partial or complete loss of control over the movements of the hind parts. The appet.i.te may be little interfered with. The animal may sit on the haunches, with the limbs projecting forward, or swing the hind quarters from side to side in walking or trotting. Irregularity in the animal's movements is especially noticeable when turning or backing. In case the animal suffers pain, the spine is held rigid or arched, and when forced to move, marked evidence of pain occurs. There may be a decrease or increase in the sensibility of the part. The increase in sensibility is noticed on striking the muscles with the hand or rubbing the hair the wrong way. Spasmodic twitching or contractions in the muscles sometimes occur. There is frequent elevation of temperature. The animal is unable to pa.s.s urine or faeces, or there may be an involuntary pa.s.sage of the body excretions.

The outcome of this disease is unfavorable. Acute inflammation of the covering of the cord may subside within a few days. Cases that do not recover within a few weeks should be destroyed. Paralysis of the hind parts should not be confused with rheumatism, azoturia and other disorders that may interfere with the movements of the posterior portion of the body.

_The treatment_ is largely along preventive lines. A predisposition toward rickets, and injuries, may be prevented by feeding a proper ration, and permitting the animal to take exercise. The quarters and the attendant are frequently responsible for injuries. If this is the case, the rough handling of the animals should be immediately corrected, and any condition of the quarters that favors the crowding or piling up of animals should be changed. Large animals may be placed in swings if they are able to support a part of their weight on the hind limbs. This is especially indicated at the very beginning of the disorder. Small animals should be given a good bed. A very light, easily digested ration should be fed. An occasional physic should be administered. Strychnine and iodide of pota.s.sium may be given. Cold applications to the back are indicated.

QUESTIONS

1. What organs comprise the central portion of the nervous system?

Peripheral portion?

2. Give a general description of the brain.

3. Give a general description of the spinal cord.

4. What is the sympathetic system?

5. Describe the causes and symptoms of congestion of the brain.

6. What is heatstroke? Give the treatment.

7. Give the preventive and curative treatment of inflammation of the brain.

8. State the causes, and give the proper treatment of paralysis of the posterior portion of the body.

CHAPTER XI

DISEASES OF THE SKIN

GENERAL DISCUSSION.--The two layers that form the skin are the _epidermis_ and the _derma_. The cells of the outer layer or epidermis are of two kinds. The superficial portion is formed by h.o.r.n.y, flattened cells and the deeper by softer cells. This layer of the skin varies greatly in thickness in the different species. The derma is composed of some muscular fibres interwoven with the connective-tissue fibres. It contains the roots of the hair follicles, sweat and oil glands. The external face which is covered by the epidermis shows a mult.i.tude of little elevations. These are the vascular and nervous papillae. In addition, it shows openings through which the hairs and the skin glands pa.s.s. The inner surface is united more or less closely to the muscular or underlying tissue by a layer of fibro-fatty tissue.

_The appendages of the skin_ are the hairs and h.o.r.n.y productions. The h.o.r.n.y productions comprise the horns, chestnuts, ergots, claws and hoofs.

_The hair varies_ in length, thickness and coa.r.s.eness in the different species, and the different regions of the body. In addition, breeding, care, heat and cold may cause marked variations in the thickness of the coat. Exposure to cold causes the coat to thicken. High temperatures cause the short hairs to drop out and the coat to become thin.

Diseases of the skin may be _cla.s.sified as parasitic_ and _non-parasitic_.

Parasitic skin diseases are caused by animal and vegetable parasites.

Non-parasitic skin diseases are caused by irritation to the skin and internal causes. Irritation to the skin may be either chemical, thermic or mechanical. The internal causes may be due to an individual predisposition together with digestive disturbances and the eating of feeds too rich in protein. In this chapter parasitic skin diseases produced by insects will not be discussed.

FALLING OUT OF THE HAIR AND FEATHERS.--Falling out of the hair and feathers frequently occurs independent of parasitic diseases. This condition does not occur as an independent disorder, but as a secondary affection. It is due to faulty nutrition, and irritation to the skin. Intestinal diseases, insufficient feed and feed of bad quality are common causes. Animals that are fed a heavy ration, or that lie on dirty, wet bedding frequently lose large patches of hair. Sheep that are dipped in late fall and early winter, or exposed to wet, cold weather may lose a part of their fleece. It is not uncommon for animals toward the latter period of pregnancy, or that sweat freely, to lose patches of hair.

Falling out of the hair heals of itself within a few weeks.

_The preventive measures_ are of special importance in sheep and horses.

This consists in avoiding conditions that may lead to alopecia and in correcting the diet. In horses the regions of the mane and tail should be washed with soap, or rubbed with alcohol and spirits of camphor, equal parts. Treatment should be persisted in for a long period if necessary.

URTICARIA, "NETTLERASH."--Urticaria is characterized by roundish elevations that appear quickly and become scattered over a part or the whole surface of the skin. They are caused by an inflammatory infiltration of the deeper layers of the skin. Horses and hogs are most frequently affected.

_The causes_ of urticaria are irritating juices of certain plants, secretions of flies, ants and some caterpillars, irritating drugs, scratching, sweating and the action of cold on a warm skin. It has been observed in connection with the feeding of certain leguminous feeds and digestive disturbances. Horses that are fat, or putting on flesh rapidly, seem to be predisposed to this disorder. Urticaria may occur in certain infectious diseases.

_The characteristic symptom_ is the formation on the skin of roundish elevations or "hives." There may be an elevation of body temperature and partial loss of appet.i.te. Small animals may act restless and show evidence of itching or pain. This symptom is very common in hogs. The eruption may last only a few hours or a few days, or, because of the animal's scratching or rubbing the part, the skin may become scabby and small pustules form.

An important _preventive measure_ is to avoid the use of agents capable of irritating the skin and producing urticaria when treating parasitic skin diseases. It is very advisable to give the animal a saline cathartic (Epsom or Glauber's salts). The skin may be washed with cold water, or a weak water solution of permanganate of pota.s.sium.

ACNE, "SUMMER RASH."--In this skin disease the oil glands and hair follicles are inflamed and sometimes infected with pus germs. This results in skin eruptions varying in size from the point of a pin to about a quarter of an inch in diameter. This inflammation is most prominent during the warm weather.

_The causes_ are local irritation to the skin from lying on filthy floors, sweating and irritation from the harness. According to some writers, pus germs are the only cause, the mechanical agents merely aiding in the production of the infection.

The face, side of the neck, shoulders, back and sides of the trunk and quarters are the usual seats of disease. The pimples or nodules may disappear within a few weeks, or persist throughout the warm season. The eruption may disappear without leaving scars, or suppuration occurs and small bald spots result.

_The treatment_ consists in removing the cause of the disease and cleaning the skin with antiseptic washes. The surroundings of the animal must be kept clean and a good bed provided. If possible, the horse should be laid off from work as soon as the condition is noted. Washing the part with a weak water solution of permanganate of pota.s.sium may be practised daily.

Fowler's solution of a.r.s.enic may be given. This may be given with the feed.

ECZEMA.--This is an inflammation of the vascular capillary bodies and the superficial layer of the skin. There may be marked inflammatory exudate, causing the surface of the skin to become excessively moist and more or less itching. Redness, vesicles and pustules may characterize the inflammation. In the chronic form the skin may become thickened and greatly changed in structure.

Eczematous inflammation of the skin may occur in all domestic animals, but it is most common in the dog. In the horse local eczema (scratches) is common.